Growing up in Indiana, I didn't learn of pho until college (yeah, I know). And until California, I didn't encounter all the other delicious Vietnamese dishes that our family has come to love.
So far, our favorite place is Ben Tre in Millbrae:
5-Spice Chicken w/ Garlic Noodles - tender chicken perfectly cooked and seasoned on top of a bed of garlicky noodles - how can this combo go wrong?
BBQ Pork Chop Rice Platter - the marinade / flavoring of the pork chop is amazing!
Bo Tai Chanh - beef carpaccio w/ fantastic lime flavor
And from Vung Tau in San Jose:
Delicious Shaking Beef w/ tomato rice (the salad underneath is tasty too)